(4.5) In this sequel, Aven is now a freshman, and to me she feels more accessible as a character because of how the author constructs her feelings as an oscillating array—optimism, pessimism, crushes, confusion, heartbreak, anger, joy, withdrawal, determination. These sentiments all exist in the gray, and Aven is all the more real for it.

This year, Aven faces challenges that any teenager could, arms or not. She doesn’t know how to handle like liking someone, being bullied, unfairly taking her pain out on others, retreating into herself, finding her style & aesthetic, and valuing her inner strength and of those around her. On top of it all, she’s also becoming very curious about her birth father and, as a result, expanding her idea of family.

All in all, I’m so happy Bowling decided to write a second novel and encourage her to keep going with this world, and the half star I withheld was just for the heavy-handedness of The Man theme as introduced by Aven’s new friend Trilby. Regardless, Aven and her friends — particularly Zion in this one — are so enjoyable to follow, and I hope we’ll meet again someday